OPPOSES BILL THAT BRINGS MORE ADULTS AND CHILDREN FROM HIGHER-INCOME FAMILIES INTO PROGRAM

Washington, Feb 4, 2009 - “I joined in establishing the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) to provide healthcare coverage for children in low-income families,” said Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Ocala). “I strongly believe that SCHIP should continue to focus on needy children first. Instead, this measure would provide coverage to children in families earning $63,600 a year and those with even higher incomes.”

The House today approved the Senate Amendment to H.R. 2, the SCHIP Reauthorization Act. While reauthorizing the program, H.R. 2 also provides coverage for more adults and families with higher incomes. Explained Stearns, “ The measure would expand eligibility to families earning 300% of the federal poverty level, or about $64,000 for a family of four. In addition, since it allows states to disregard certain income sources, families earning as much as $74,200 could join the program. According to the Congressional Budget Office, this measure would result in 2.4 million individuals dropping private coverage for taxpayer-funded coverage.”

To fund the program, H.R. 2 includes a tax increase of $73.3 billion. In addition, the measure contains no penalties for states enrolling illegal aliens in SCHIP. Finally, the measure extends coverage for a children’s program to more adults.